Question from Thomas T.
I am not a fan of our present mayor and would like to support a pragmatist who shares the values of long time Bend residents and is truly nonpartisan.
Here are some questions:
- Do you support the Hawthorne street bicycle bridge?
- Do support the Caldera housing expansion?
- Do you support narrowing the streets for bicycle lanes?
- Do you support continuing the Greenwood experiment?
- Do you support expanding the tree protection?
- Do you support building a new city hall?
- Do you support significant expansion of the Bend population?
Depending upon your responses, I will not contribute and advocate for you. This is not the city I move to nor want it to be.
Lesson one is never elect a lawyer to public office. They have been tainted by law schools with a fair left mind set and they have no real world experience. And this comes from a retired lawyer. I know that of which I speak.
Bernadette's Response
Hi Thomas,
In order to give everyone asking questions fair consideration I'll answer a few of the questions you've asked.
If you look at the website, I have answered many of them on our "vision" page I'll get right to the point, no I don't support the Hawthorne Bicycle bridge project as it stands, and I think the majority of Bend residents feel similarly. That isn't to say that in the future, there wouldn't be room for a discussion on how to effectively make improvements for cyclists, if it makes financial sense and there is a majority of residents asking for it.
That isn't what we're talking about though, the Hawthorne Bridge project is one example of WANTS vs. NEEDS and city leadership shutting down collaboration with the community, as well as neglecting the basic maintenance our infrastructure requires.
Caldera is an example of failure to improve infrastructure and safe evacuation routes using the tools we already have. Caldera Ranch requested for their project to be annexed into the city limits. Annexations come with a developer agreement to map out what is required by the developer, including necessary infrastructure agreements. SDC's on new construction should be used for this, and planners/builders need to commit to these crucial safety improvements before any projects can move forward.
Growth happens, we can't keep people from moving here, but we can ensure safe evacuation routes, and put that responsibility of investment where it belongs.
I do not see a current need for a new City Hall, many city workers are remote several days a week, and The City has been hiring staff at a rate that outpaces the population. If and when a need for that arises in the future, Bend Residents should have a vote.